Autographic register



NOV. 25, 1952 w METZNER r 2,619,366

AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed March 1, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS ALBERT W ML-TZl/El? ANDREW .l AOZUI.

NOV. 25, 1 952 w METZNER ETAL 2,619,366

AUTOGRAPX- XIC REGISTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1 1951 INVENTORS ALBERT IVMETZNER ANDRE W J- KOZUL ATT RNEY Nov. 25, 1952 A. w. METZNER ETAL AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 1 1951 INVENTORS ALBERT w. METZNER ANDREW J. KOZUL m, film ATTO NEY Patented Nov. 25, 1952 AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Albert W. Metzner, Dayton, and Andrew J. Kozul, Troy, Ohio, assignors to The Standard Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 1, 1951, Serial No. 213,432

17 Claims. 1

This invention pertains to autographic registers, and more particularly to tamper proof registers.

In certain applications it has been found highly desirable to provide operator access to the record forms either while in recording position or in the storage compartment of the register. With the conventional register it is possible to falsify the customer's copy which is issued from the register, so that the indicia recorded thereon varies from that recorded on the underlying record copies which are subsequently used for bookkeeping purposes. Such alterations may in many-instances be accomplished without any physical evidence of the fact that the forms have been altered.

The instant register provides a structure which prevents such tampering or alteration of the forms by closin all possible access openings including the edges of the forms while in recording position. Tools or other forms of block-out materials, such as cardboard, paper or carbon paper, cannot be inserted. With such construction it is physically impossible to record different characters on the topmost or original strip and the underlying record strip. The advantages gained by such construction are provided without in any way reducing the usefulness of the normal autographic register.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction as well as the means and mode of operation of autographic registers as disclosed herein, whereby such devices may not only be economically manufactured, but will be more efficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out of repair.

- A further object of the invention is to provide a register construction which will prevent manipulation of the various superposed record forms and require the recording of identical indicia on each of said forms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction for autographic registers which will prevent the entry of foreign articles within the interior of the register except by authorized persons.

A further object of the invention is to provide these advantageous features without in any way destroying the ordinary usefulness of an autographic register or eliminating any of the features found in such common registers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein is found the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a register embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the register with portions of the case removed to show the interior structure;

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on lines 33 of Fig. 2, showing the method of handling the carbon and the register construction in the area thereto;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of the mechanism adjacent the pin wheel or feeding area of the autographic register;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view along line i6 of Fig. 1, showing the means for issuing the customer's copy; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view showing a modification of the structure of the flutter plate.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the autographic register comprising the instant invention is shown enclosed within a housing I, having a lid 2 pivotally secured thereto at 3. The side walls of the housing I have secured thereto various brackets 4, 5, 6, l, 3, 9 and In, which brackets support various portions of the autographic register mechanism. J ournaled in the side frames of the housing l is a pin wheel shaft I I, one end of this shaft extending outwardly through the side of the housing I to receive a hand crank I2. The crank 12 is provided with the conventional control mechanism including an anti-back-up lobe l3 cooperating with the spring biased plunger i l, a brake block I 5 cooperating with a spring biased plunger i6 and a spring biased release handle 18.

Mounted upon shaft II is a pair of pin wheels 20 spaced about the periphery thereof a plurality of feeding pins 2| for engagement within the marginally punched perforations 22 of the record strip assembly 23. Rotation of the pin wheels through movement of the crank lB-IZ thereby advances the record strip assembly past the recording position through progressive enthey are reformed into a pack 45.

gagement of the pins 2| within the marginal configurations 22. Also mounted upon the shaft H for unison motion therewith is a pair of rotary cams 24, having a notch therein. Riding upon the periphery of each cam 24 is a roller 25 carried by arms 21 pivotally mounted on tie rod 28. Mounted upon the free ends of arms 21 is a holddown and tear-off bar 29. As the pin wheels 28 and cams 24 are rotated through rotation of crank l2, rollers 26 drop into recess 25 in cam 24, indicating completion of one feeding operation. Thereupon arms 21 and hold-down bar 29 are lowered into engagement with the record strip to hold it in position while tearing the ejected portion of the strip therefrom.

Located upon the right side of the register as viewed in Fig. 1, and as more clearly shown in Fig. 5, is a positive acting, anti-back-up device. Mounted on the pin wheel shaft I l for unison rotation therewith is a ratchet wheel 39 located immediately adjacent the side wall of the housing 2. Pivotally supported upon a stud 3| in overlying relation to the ratchet wheel 39 is a one-way pawl 32 spring biased into engagement with the ratchet 30 by spring 33. The construction is such that counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet 39, representing a feeding motion, disengages the pawl 32. On the other hand, clockwise rotation of the ratchet 3!], representing a back-up of the pin wheels, causes automatic locking engagement of the pawl 32 within the ratchet 39, thereby preventing such back-up motion.

The forms 23 are supplied in a pack 34, which is stored in the bottom of the register within the brackets 35, 39 and 31, which brackets form a pack holder. The forms 23 are withdrawn from the pack 34 and advanced over idlers 38 onto the writing table 39 at the forward end or top of which is located the pin wheels 29. The writing table 39 is pivotally supported upon housing brackets I0 by means of arms 49, the forward end "of the writing table resting upon hubs carried by the hold-down bar supporting arms 21. Upon the forward end of the writing table is a pair of upstanding arms 4|, upon which is pivotally mounted by means of studs 42 a flutter plate 43. The flutter plate serves to separate the advancing assembly of record forms, directing the lowermost forms into the storage compartment while directing the topmost form out of the register for detachment and delivery to the customer. The forms which pass beneath the flutter plate 43 are directed into the record storage compartment formed by the housing I and bracket 44, where The storage compartment is provided with a cover 45 which is locked in position by a lock 47, the forms being directed into the compartment by a guide plate 48 forming a part of the cover.

Formed in the flutter plate 43 is a series of upwardly directed tongues 49 which extend transversely across the flutter plate in spaced relation. The topmost forms which are to be ejected from the register are passed over the upstanding tongues 49 so that the form is thereby directed upwardly as it is advanced. The form thereupon strikes the curved hood or cover member 59 formed in the cover 2 of the register to thereby reverse the direction of the ejected record form whereby it is discharged rearwardly over the top of the hold-down bar 29.

The terminal or edge of the cover 59 which functions as an arcuate deflector slightly overlies the plane of the hold-down bar 29 to prevent the insertion of foreign articles within the opening therebetween. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. '7 by the line X, it will be seen that any piece of paper or other tool if inserted intermediate the hold-down bar 29 and the cover 59 is so deflected away from the opening between the tongue 49 and the hold-down bar that it cannot be inserted or passed therebetween. If found necessary or desirable, asupplemental cover member 5! (Fig. 6) may be attached to the register cover 2. Such supplemental cover 5| extends completely over the mechanism adjacent the hold-down bar 29 effectively preventing the insertion of any article therein.

The hold-down bar 29 is resiliently urged into engagement with the record strip 23 by retractile spring 52 anchored upon tie rods 53 carried by brackets 6.

As shown in Fig. l the under side of the tie bar '29 is suitably formed to provide clearance for the flutter plate. Such clearance is very limited, being only suflicient to permit free passage of the record strip intermediate the flutter plate and the hold-down bar 29, when such bar is in its'ele- Vated position. Should one be successful in inserting a piece of paper intermediate the tongues 49 and the hold-down bar 29, such paper would then contact the overturned flange 54 of the flutter plate. This flange provides a complete stop or abutment preventing the insertion of any paper or cardboard in such a manner.

It is conceivable that the opening in cover 2 through which the arms 4| project might be utilized for the insertion of paper or other form of hampering device. To eliminate this possibility a guard 55 (Fig. 4) is secured to the under side of the flutter plate 43. In Fig. 7 there is shown a modification of this structure in which a guard 56, serving the same purpose as guard 54 of Fig. 4, is made an integral part of the flutter plate 43. In both instances the edge of the cover 4T48 of the storage compartment overlies the end of theguard 55 or 59. Carried by the holddown bar 29 on the under side thereof is a pair of slotted hold-down fingers 51 which overlie the pin wheels and retain the strip in engagement with the pins thereof. Projecting from the cover portion 2 and extending into overlying relation with the hold-down fingers 5'! is a lug 58 which limits the upward movement of the hold-down bar 29 and feed fingers 51. The clearance intermediate the lug 58 and hold-down fingers 51 is such as to permit the normal raising and lowering of the hold-down bar 29 under control of cam 24. However, the hold-down bar 29 cannot be raised clear of the cover portion 2 due to the overlapping of the lug 58 with the hold-down fingers 51. In order to raise the hold-down bar 29 it is first necessary to open the cove portion 2 of the register which is normally maintained locked.

Another point where it is possible to tamper with the formsin a conventional register is at the transverse divisioniine 59, Fig. 1. To eliminate the possibility of tampering at this point the normal opening Within the cover portion 2 which defines the recording area has been reduced in size by the provision in the cover portion 2 of a depressed marginal frame 60 which closely overlies the assembly of record strips while in the writing position. As shown in Fig. 1, the frame 99 completely covers the edges of the assembly of record strips, thereby preventing the inserting of extra sheets of paper or other material intermediate the superposed strips.

To prevent tampering with the anti-back-up mechanism 3032 through the opening adjacent the arms 4| and studs 42, a downwardly projected flange BI is inserted. In addition thereto, a flange panel 62 is supported adjacent the anti-back-up device so as to protect the same from undesired operation.

When continuous strips of one-time carbon are interleaved within the assembly of superposed record strips or when carbon spotted forms are used, the structure heretofore described is sufiicient for preventing tampering with the inscribed records made on the register. It is, however, common practice in autographic registers to use strips of carbon paper extending transversely from the writing table, the strips being interleaved intermediate the superposed record strips. Such carbon strips are supplied from a roll thereof mounted at one side of the writing table, the strips extending across the table and being clamped at the opposite side thereof by a movable clamp member. A register of this construction necessitates further precautionary measures to prevent the insertion of individual sheets of paper intermediate the superposed carbon strips. Such sheets of paper are in the normal register easily inserted through the opening at which the transversely extending carbon paper projects to be clamped.

As shown in Fig. l, a supply roll 63 of carbon paper is revolubly mounted upon a spindle 64, which spindle is in turn replaceably mounted within brackets 65 carried upon the side of the writing table 39. The transfer material is projected across the writing table and is held in position by closure of the pivotally mounted clamping member 66 thereon. To prevent the insertion of paper adjacent the carbon clamp 68 a flange 61 is provided upon one of the lid bracing members 68. Cooperating with the flange 61 is a longitudinally extending groove or recess 69 along the edge of the writing table. The superposed strips of carbon paper are thereby depressed into the grooves 69, the flange 61 acting as a baflie in preventing the inserting of any individual pieces of paper thereabout.

The entire assembly is locked in a closed condition by lock carried by cover 2 and having locking engagement with the bracket 9 supported upon the side of housing I.

It will be seen that the entire periphery of the form while in recording position is enclosed beneath the frame 69, and the opening at the side of the register for manipulation of the transverse carbon strips is protected by the flange 61 carried on the under side of the cover 2. Thus while the cover is locked in closed position it is impossible to insert any individual or independent pieces of paper adjacent the form in recording position. Also with the cover locked in closed position it is impossible to lift the hold-down bar 29 so as to gain access to the leading edge of the form assembly. It is likewise impossible to gain access to the form assembly under the holddown bar 29 because of the presence of the deflector 5D and supplemental cover 5| if used. The only other remaining opening in the register housing, namely, the opening through which the arms 4| of the flutter plate project, is likewise closed to access by the plate 55 or 56 (Fig. 7) and by the flanges 6I62. While all access openings;

are effectively closed by this construction, the register is nevertheless readily serviceable since all that is necessary is to unlock the lid. The unlocking and raising of the lid removes all special closures and other protective devices from their 6. operative position, thereby permitting the adjustment of the register as in a normal construction.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into efi'ect.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In an autographic register having a plurality of access openings therein through which access may be had to the operating mechanism and the underlying record strips of a record assembly comprising a series of superposed strips of series connected record forms which are progressively advanced past a recording position, means for eifectively closing said openings to prevent access to all parts of the register and record assembly except the topmost strip thereof, including a cover member pivotally secured to a base enclosure for the register, said cover having an opening therein defining a recording position through which the topmost strip of the record assembly is exposed for the inscription of desired indicia thereon, a depressed frame surrounding said opening overlying and enclosing the peripheral margins of the superposed record forms then in recording position, a writing table pivotally supported on the base enclosure upon which the superposed record forms are supported while in recording position, a groove extending longitudinally of the writing table in closely adjacent relation to the side margins of the superposed record strips, a downwardly extending projection carried on the underside of the cover projecting past the plane of the writing table into said groove when the cover is closed, thereby forming a barrier to the insertion of foreign articles intermediate the superposed record strips, a flutter plate interposed in the path of advancement of the record forms directing a portion of the record assembly into a storage compartment y and the remainder thereof toward a discharge outlet, a hold-down bar pivotally supported upon the register extending transversely thereof in overlying relation with the record strip assembly, projections carried by the cover extending into the path of pivotal movement of the hold-down bar preventing movement thereof when the cover is closed, upstanding flanges on the flutter plate in closely spaced relation with the hold-down bar intermediate which the ejected portions of the record strip assembly is advanced, an arcuate deflector overlying and enclosing the flutter plate flange and at least a portion of the hold-down bar and located in the path of advancement of the ejected portion of the record strip assembly to alter the direction of travel thereof, the holddown bar, flutter plate flange and deflector forming an effective barrier to the insertion of foreign articles intermediate the superposed record strips, an extension carried by the flutter plate forming a barrier to the insertion of foreign articles' through an opening in the'cover through which the flutter plate extends, downturned flanges carried by the cover adjacent to the flutter plate opening therein preventing the insertion of foreign articles into the operating mechanism of the register, and means preventing unauthorized movement of the cover about its pivot from closed to open position, the construction and arrangement being such that all access openings in the register are effectively barred when the cover is in closed position for normal operation of the register.

2. In an autographic register having a plurality of access openings therein through which access may be had to the interior of the register and the underlying record strips of a record assembly comprising a series of superposed strips of series connected record forms which are progressively advanced past a recording position, means for making such register tamper-proof, including a cover portion pivotally supported upon a base having a first and second opening therein defining the recording position and record strip discharge outlet respectively, a plurality of projections on the underside thereof extending into cooperative relation with other portions of the register, including a projection extending into cooperative relation with a Writing table enclosed within the register, another projection extending into cooperative relation with a record strip hold-down bar, and additional projections extending into protective relationship with a strip feeding mechanism within the register, a projection surrounding said first opening and extending into overlying closely adjacent relation with the underlying record strip assembly advanced past recording position, an arcuate pro- Jection carried by the cover and extending upwardly and rearwardly into overlying spaced relation with said discharge opening and holddown bar, a flutter plate for separating the advancing record assembly, and a plurality of flanges on said flutter plate extending transversely of the register, including a flange on opposite transverse margins thereof and a flange intermediate the margins thereofv 3. An autographic register of the type wherein a plurality of openings are necessarily provided in the register cabinet to permit the normal functioning and servicing of the register, said register including a base, a cover, a flutter plate for separating an advancing assembly of superposed record strips and a record strip hold-down bar, characterized by means for effectively closing said openings against the insertion of foreign material therethrough during normal operation of the register including a plurality of flanges carried by the cover and projecting into overlapping relation with said openings when the cover is in closed position during normal operation, and removed from overlapping relation with said openings by movement of the cover to open inoperative position, a plurality of flanges carried by said flutter plate, said flanges preventing the introduction of foreign material relative to the flutter plate when the flutter plate is in normal operating position, an interlock between the flutter plate and cover preventing movement of the flutter plate to inoperative position while the cover is closed, and means preventing unauthorized movement of the cover to open inoperative position.

4. An autographic register of the type wherein an opening is provided for access to a carbon strip, said register including a base, a cover pivotally mounted thereon, a writing table, a'feeding mechanism for progressively advancing an assembly of superposed strips of series connected detachable record forms Over the writing table past a recording position in step-by-step movements, a carbon strip supply located at one side of the writing table, said strip extending transversely thereof in interleaved relation with the assembly of superposed record strips, a clamp bar pivotally mounted upon the opposite side of the writing table and engageable with an interposed carbon strip to frictionally clamp the carbon strip to the writing table, the clamp baibeing movable through the opening in the register to permit movement thereof without movement of the cover, characterized by a longitudinal recess in the writing table located intermediate the recording position and the carbon strip clamp over which recess the carbon strip extends, and means for depressing the carbon strip into said recess comprising a downwardly ex tending flange longitudinally disposed upon the underside of said cover in alignment with said recess, the relative positions of said flange and recess being such that the carbon strip may be drawn through said recess under said flange upon release of the carbon clamp.

5. In an autographic register of the type wherein one or more strips of transfer material are periodically advanced transversely of a writing table in interleaved relation with a series of superposed record strips extending longitudinally of the writing table, a longitudinal recess in said writing table located to one sid of the longitudinally extending record strips over which recess the transversely extending transfer material projects, and a deflector engageable with the transfer material deflecting said material into the recess, said deflector providing a tortuous path through which the transfer material is advanced.

6. In an autographic register of the type wherein one or more strips of transfer material are periodically advanced transversely of a writing table in interleaved relation with a series of superposed record strips extending longitudinally of the writing table, means providing a tortuous path for advancement of the transfer material including an upstanding wall transfixing the plane of the writing table preventing straight line advancement of the transfer material, the wall being so located with respect to the table so as to provide sufficient clearance for the passage of the transfer material therearound.

'7. In an autographic register of the type wherein one or more strips of transfer material are periodically advanced transversely of a writing table in interleaved relation with a series of superposed record strips extending longitudinally of the writing table, means providin a tortuous path for advancement of the transfer material including an upstanding wall pivotally mounted upon the register for swingin movement from open to closed position and vice versa relative to the writing table, and means for projecting the wall through the plane of the writing table in spaced relation therewith when in closed position, the transfer material being advanced about the interposed Wall intermediate the wall and writing table.

8. In an autographic register of the type wherein one or more strips of transfer material are periodically advanced transversely of a writing table in interleaved relation with a series of superposed record strips extending longitudinally of the writing table, means for deflectin the transfer material from its normal path of travel relative to the writing table including a baffle movable relative to the writing table into and out of the path of advancement of the transfer material, and means permitting continued advancement of the transfer material through an altered path of travel when the bafiie is in the path of direct advancement thereof.

9. In an autographic register wherein a plurality of superposed strips of series connected detachable record forms are intermittently advanced past a recording position with one or more of the uppermost strips being ejected from the register for separation of the individual record form. from the strips thereof, a flutter plate pivotally supported upon the register for separating the superposed assembly of strips over which the strips to be ejected are advanced, a series of upstanding tongues forming a flange on said flutter plate over which the advancing record strips travel to elevate said strips from their original path of travel, and an arcuate deflector interposed in the path of advancing record strips to reverse the direction of travel thereof, said arcuate deflector overlying and enclosing the flutter plate and its tongues.

10. In an autographic register wherein a plurality of superposed strips or" series connected detachable record forms are intermittently advanced past a recording position with one or more of the uppermost strips being ejected from the register for separation of the individual rec ord form from the strips thereof, a flutter plate pivotally supported upon the register for separating the superposed assembly of strips over which the strips to be ejected are advanced, an upstanding flange on said flutter plate directing the advancing strips upwardly relative to the plate, and an overlying strip guide and deflector against which the strips are advanced to thereby reverse the direction of travel of said strips.

11. In an autographic register wherein a plurality of superposed strips of series connected detachable record forms are intermittently advanced past a recording position with one or more of the uppermost strips being ejected from the register for separation of the individual record form from the strips thereof, a tear-off bar overlying the advancing strips under which they are advanced for separation of the ejected record form from the remainder of the strips, and a deflector located in the path of the advancing strips directing the ejected strips upwardly and rearwardly over the top of the tear-off bar, said deflector terminating in overlying spaced relation with a portion of the tear-off bar to permit ejection of the advanced record forms but preventing the entrance of foreign articles therehetween.

12. In an autographic register wherein a plu rality of superposed strips of series connected detachable record forms are intermittently ad vanced past a recording position with one or more of the uppermost strips being ejected from the register for separation of the individual record form from the strips thereof, a flutter plate pivotally supported upon the register for separating the superposed assembly of strips over which the strips to be ejected are advanced, a duo-functional flange extending transversely of the flutter plate intermediate the transverse margins thereof, said flange directing an advancing record strip upwardly relative to the flutter plate, and simultaneously preventing the insertion of a strip of material in the opposite direction relative to said flange, an upstanding flange along one transverse margin of the plate over which the strip is advanced, but preventing the advancement of a strip thereover in the opposite direction, and an extension projecting from the opposite transverse margin of the plate closing the opening in the register through which the flutter plate projects.

13. In an autographic register of the type wherein a flutter plate extends through an opening in the register housing for separation of an assembly of superposed record strips into a portion to be ejected from the register and a portion to be stored in the register, means for protecting said opening against the insertion of foreign material therethrough, including a plurality of upstanding flanges on the flutter plate over which a portion of the record assembly is intermittently advanced for ejection from the register, said flanges being duofunctional in that they elevate the advancing record assembly relative to the flutter plate and simultaneously prevent the advancement of foreign material in the opposite direction, an extension carried by said flutter plate and extending forwardly therefrom into overlapping relation with an adjacent portion of the register housing, a flange carried by the register housing projecting downwardly therefrom adjacent another margin of said opening, and an upstanding duofunctional deflector and strip guide overlying and enclosing the opening through which the record assembly is ejected and simultaneously serving as a guide to reverse the direction of travel of the ejected portion of the record assembly.

14. An autographic register of the type wherein the housing is provided with an opening defining the recording position, and having a movable hold-down bar extending transversely of an underlying record assembly to hold the assembly in recording position, characterized by protective means carried by the housing preventing movement of the hold-down bar and access to the periphery of the record assembly then in recording position, including an interlock carried by the housing and extending into the path of movement of the hold-down bar when in operative position to arrest and prevent movement of said bar, a depressed border area surrounding the opening in the housing defining the recording position projecting when in operative position into closely spaced overlapping \relation with the underlying record assembly then in recording position, and means preventing unauthorized movement of said border area and interlock to inoperative positions.

15. An autographic register of the type wherein the housing is provided with an opening defining the recording position, and having a movable hold-down bar extendin through said opening into transverse engagement with an underlying record assembly to hold the assembly in recording position, characterized by a frame member overlying the longitudinal and transverse margins of the record assembly then in recording position, thereby reducing the effective recording area relative to that normally provided by the opening in the housing, and an interlock carried by the register normally extending into the path of movement of the hold-down bar to prevent movement thereof away from engagement with the underlying record assembly to thereby further maintain the record assembly then in recording position in enclosed protected condition to pre- 11 vent unauthorized tampering with the record assembly in recording position.

16. An autographic register of the type wherein a hold-down bar is normally freely movable into and out of engagement with the leading edge of an assembly of superposed record strips then in recording position in said register, characterized by an adjustable locking member carried by the register and extending into the path of normal movement of said hold-down bar to restrict and limit such normal movement thereof, means automatically adjusting said locking member into inoperative position upon opening of the register, and means preventing the unauthorized opening thereof.

17. An autographic register of the type wherein an assembly of superposed record strips is intermittently advanced past a recording position defined by an opening in the cover portion of the register, characterized by a frame member removably secured in the recording position in 12 overlying closely spaced relation with the edges of the record assembly then in recording position, and means for removing said member from its position in overlying relation with the record assembly upon opening of the cover portion of the register.

ALBERT W. METZNER. ANDREW J. KOZUL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,263,037 Cave Apr. 16, 1918 2,170,143 Johnson Aug. 22, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 431,189 Great Britain June 28, 1935 

